Finding-NEVO: Toward Radical Design in HCI

Abstract

Abstract. We address the methodology of design-oriented research in HCI, whereby researchers design and implement technology to test concepts. The task is to produce a testable prototype (that we call NEVO, Non-Embarrassing Version One) that faithfully embodies the concept. We probed leading HCI researchers and CHI authors about the challenge of Finding NEVO. We found uncertainty on how to design prototypes that allow for both design and scientific contributions. We propose the Finding-NEVO model that articulates a process yielding prototypes that are faithful to the rationale and idea being studied. We conclude by discussing our theoretical and methodological contributions.Keywords: Radical design, design method, innovation, HCI. To properly answer a research question, DoR prototypes have to embody the ideas to be tested. Yet, there is little concrete guidance on how to design such research prototypes. Our goal is to gain an understanding of prominent design processes in HCI through interviews with HCI researchers and domain experts, and to suggest a plausible process model for the design of prototypes in research. Design of Research PrototypesWe employed a general model (Figure 1), as a probe for interviews, of how research prototypes are designed. This model is similar to Gaver's [4] idea of designs occupying points in the design space or creating a design space around themselves. The HCI